Brazilian Journal of Science
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First record of Xylophallus xylogenus (Phallaceae, Agaricomycetes) in Central Brazil: morphological notes and habitat observations
No full textThis study presents the first documented occurrence of Xylophallus xylogenus in the Central-West Region of Brazil, specifically in Itapaci, Goiás. Ten specimens were collected on April 17, 2025, from soil containing decomposing rice straw. The macroscopic and ecological characteristics matched previous descriptions of the species. This finding expands the known geographic distribution of this rare and poorly collected member of the Phallaceae and contributes to the ongoing documentation of Neotropical fungal diversity
Orexin gene expression analysis in two Nigerian indigenous and exotic chickens using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)
No full textThis study investigated orexin gene expression patterns in two Nigerian indigenous chicken ecotypes (Fulani and Yoruba) compared to the exotic Cobb-500 breed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology. A total of 135 birds (45 per breed) were reared for four weeks, after which liver tissue samples were collected for RNA extraction and analysis. The orexin gene serves as a crucial regulator of appetite, energy balance, and stress responses in poultry, making it an important molecular marker for understanding breed-specific physiological adaptations. RNA was extracted using the Zymo RNA mini prep kit, followed by cDNA synthesis and qPCR analysis using Luna® Universal qPCR Mastermix. The TATA box binding protein served as the housekeeping gene for normalization. Gene expression was quantified using the 2-ΔΔCT method (Livak method) to determine fold changes between breeds. Results revealed significant inter-breed variations in orexin expression levels (P < 0.05). The Fulani ecotype demonstrated the highest expression (1.37-fold), followed by Cobb-500 broilers (0.35-fold), while Yoruba ecotype chickens showed the lowest expression (0.02-fold). Melt curve analysis confirmed primer specificity and amplification consistency across all samples. These findings suggest that elevated orexin expression in Fulani chickens may reflect superior physiological adaptability and energy regulation capabilities, supporting their resilience in variable environmental conditions. The differential expression patterns highlight orexin's potential as a molecular marker for selective breeding programs aimed at improving indigenous chicken productivity while maintaining genetic diversity and environmental adaptability in Nigerian poultry systems
From fresh to salty: exploring water salinity tolerance in Rhinella ornata (Anura, Bufonidae) tadpoles on Brazilian Atlantic Forest
No full textChanges in salinity levels of aquatic environments may significantly affect the distribution and abundance of many species, including amphibians. Typically, amphibians inhabit environments with low salinity. However, tadpoles of Rhinella ornata can often be found in environments in which stochastic events, such as high tides, can dramatically modify the water salinity of ponds in coastal regions. Here, we test the hypothesis that elevated salinity negatively affects the survival and latency of tadpoles of Rhinella ornata. We exposed 32 tadpoles to different salinity levels (0, 10, 18, 30 parts per thousand or ppt) and measured the time of death and latency time in individuals of two body size classes. Mortality was significantly different between intermediate and high salinity levels (18 and 30 ppt) but did not depend on body size. These results show that tadpoles of Rhinella ornata seem to be intolerant of high salinity, regardless of size. However, there was no mortality at lower salinity levels (0 and 10 ppt) and no difference in latency period between the two lower levels, implying that these tadpoles can survive in low water salinity for a short period, enabling them to swim to less brackish environments. Overall, this trait seems to be important for Rhinella ornata to tolerate shoreline environments, which are vulnerable to stochastic events that dramatically increase pond salinities
Evaluation of fungicide efficacy and agronomic viability for controlling Rhizoctonia solani-induced damping-off in soybean
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the agronomic efficacy of different fungicides applied via seed treatment for the control of Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in Rio Verde, GO, Brazil, during the 2023/2024 growing season, using the Bônus 8579RSF IPRO cultivar previously inoculated with the pathogen. Nine treatments, including controls, were tested at the manufacturers' recommended doses. The evaluated parameters included emergence, vigor, shoot height, root length, pre- and post-emergence damping-off, disease index, and product efficacy. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications. Results showed that the treatments Fludioxonil + Metalaxyl-M + Thiabendazole and Thiophanate-methyl + Fluazinam exhibited the highest control efficacy, reducing the disease index by 73.79% and 58.39%, respectively. It is concluded that seed treatment is an effective and viable strategy for the preventive management of Rhizoctonia solani during the initial development stages of soybean cultivation
Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and psychoactive substances use among pharmacy students in Minas Gerais: Impacts of the pandemic and the university environment
No full textMental disorders affect the population widely, and university students are considered a risk group due to the challenges of academic life. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on this population, intensifying symptoms of anxiety and depression. On the other hand, there is a high consumption of psychoactive substances among academics, which initially aim to minimize internal tensions, but can, in a chronic manner, harm health. Given this, a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out on the presence of anxiety and depression, as well as the use of psychoactive substances among pharmacy students at a public university in the interior of Minas Gerais. Two questionnaires were used for data collection, one for demographic and psycho-emotional assessment and another specific for anxiety and depression, known as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The study population consisted of 350 academics. Of these, 69.43% were female, with an average age of 21.72 years. The data indicate that 39.14% of the interviewees had “probable” anxiety and 25.14% “probable” depression, affecting first-year and last-year students more prominently. In addition, there was a higher prevalence of anxiety in males. Depression, on the other hand, affected women more. Regarding the social context, it is observed that both the university and the COVID-19 pandemic increased the prevalence of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, 64.86% of the participants used psychoactive substances, with alcohol and anxiolytics and/or antidepressants being the most used. Thus, the impact of the university and the pandemic on mental illnesses is clear. Furthermore, the high use of psychoactive substances is worrying, as it can generate secondary damage. Therefore, it is suggested that educational measures for preventing psychoactive substance use, as well as improvements in programs related to mental health
In silico evaluation of twenty-five amino derivatives as potential nitric oxide synthase inhibitors
No full textThere are studies indicating that nitric oxide synthase can be involved in cancer cell growth. It is important to mention that some inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase can produce changes in cancer cell growth. However, there is little information on the interaction of some amino derivatives with nitric oxide synthase surface. The aim of this research was to determine the theoretical interaction of amino derivatives (compounds 1-25) with nitric oxide synthase using the 4d1o protein as a tool. Besides, L-NAME, ONO1714, and N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine drugs were used as controls in the DockingServer program. The results showed differences in the number of aminoacid residues and energy levels involved in the interaction of amino derivatives with the 4d1o protein surface compared with the controls. Furthermore, the inhibition constants for amino derivatives 4, 15, 20, 24, and 25 were lower compared to L-NAME and ONO1714 drugs. In conclusion, these theoretical results indicate that compounds 4, 15, 20, 24, and 25 have a higher affinity for the 4d1o protein surface. This data indicates that amino derivatives 4, 15, 20, 24, and 25 can exert changes in the biological activity of nitric oxide synthase. This phenomenon could translate into a decrease in cancer cell growth; however, to validate this hypothesis, it is necessary to perform different experiments in a biological model
Effect of dietary supplementation of Picralima nitida seed powder on haemato-serological profile and meat quality of broiler chickens
No full textThe residual effects and microbial resistance associated with the use of synthetic drugs in animal bodies necessitate the use of phytoadditives as organic-based medications in poultry diets. An organic alternative is Picralima nitida with promising antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities that could possibly improve poultry health. This study, therefore, evaluated the response of broiler chickens to Picralima nitida Seed Powder (PnSP) using 300 day-old Arbor Acre (AA) broiler chicks. They were allotted to five dietary treatments with 6 replicates each and were fed 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2% PnSP-based starter (21 days) and finisher (28 days) diets in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD). Cooking Loss (CL), Crude Protein (CP), Ether Extract (EE), and sensory attributes of the meat were determined. For blood profile, Glycemic Index (GI), globulin, glucose, creatinine, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), and Red Blood Cell (RBC) were determined. Data collected were subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at p < 0.05%. No significant (p = 0.47) effect on GI; however, the values reduced with an increase in PnSP. CL (p < 0.001), CP (p < 0.001), and EE (p = 0.04) were significantly influenced in a non-definite pattern, and the sensory attributes of the boiled meat were (p > 0.05) influenced by PnSP. Globulin (p = 0.01), glucose (p = 0.01), and ALT (p < 0.001) increased with the use of PnSP, while creatinine (p = 0.03) decreased with an increase in PnSP. However, ALP was (p < 0.001) influenced in a non-definite pattern. In conclusion, 0.1% PnSP improved globulin, glucose, PCV, RBC, and reduced the creatinine level of broiler chickens
Effect of agricultural crimes on cashew crop farmers in Ogbomoso Agricultural zone of Oyo State, Nigeria
No full textAgricultural crime stays mostly under-researched. This study examined the effects of agricultural crimes on cashew crop farmers in the Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone of Oyo State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, utilising a well-organised questionnaire administered via an interview schedule. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Five per cent of 180 villages were purposefully selected due to their high concentration of cashew plantations. The second stage involves the random selection of cashew crop farmers in the study area. In the third stage, 10 cashew farmers from each selected village within the study area were randomly chosen. Consequently, 90 cashew farmers were selected randomly for the study. The results revealed that most cashew farmers are men (61.1%), with an average age of 50 and 23 years of growing experience. Most of the people who answered worked on small farms (an average of 7 hectares), and they used both family and hired workers. Among the most common crimes in agriculture were theft of cashew nuts (97.8%), theft of other goods (96.7%), damage to property (86.7%), and trespassing (73.3%). These crimes caused big problems, like fewer fruits being harvested (WMS 3.14) and less income (WMS 2.99). Farmers took steps to stop theft by firing dishonest workers, marking crops and tools, and using community-based surveillance like vigilante patrols. Statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation between levels of education and the ability to manage the effects of these crimes (r = 0.42). Agricultural crimes are a major threat to cashew production and the way farmers in the area make a living. Therefore, we recommend strengthening community policing, educating farmers, and providing institutional support to enhance security and sustain cashew production
Snake diversity and their morphometric parameters in a Guinea Savanna forest of Nigeria
No full textSnakes play a crucial ecological role; however, they remain one of the least studied groups of species in Nigeria. Since the last comprehensive evaluation in 2007, no research has been conducted on snake diversity and morphometric characteristics in the study area. We assessed snake diversity and their morphometric parameters in the Guinea savanna forest of Nigeria. Ten transect strips, each measuring 2 km by 10 m, were randomly laid out across five selected ranges. A Visual Encounter Survey was conducted along each transect to observe snake abundance and diversity. Surveys were conducted both during the day (9:00-12:00 h) and at night (19:00-21:00 h). Morphometric parameters of snakes were also measured using a standard procedure. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α 0.05. Twenty-one species of snake were identified. Bitis arietans had the highest abundance at 38.0%, followed by Boaedon lineatus at 15.5%, Dendroaspis jamesoni at 8.0%, and Naja nigricollis at 7.0%. The least encountered species were Bitis gabonica, Causus lichtensteini, and Mehelya crossi, each at 1.0%. The Ibbi range had the highest diversity index (Simpson’s = 0.781 and Shannon’s = 1.667), while the Kali range showed the best evenness (0.957). Significant differences were observed in the number of ventral scales (0.023), Inter-orbital length (0.025), snout-vent length (0.004), and head width (0.009) of different snake species. Family Viperidae were shorter (43.29 ± 3.05 cm) in body length compared to Columbridae (95.50 ± 8.77 cm) and Elapidae (81.25 ± 12.67 cm). The results of this study contribute to the limited knowledge of snake diversity in Nigeria. The findings call for further research and conservation efforts to protect these species and their habitats, considering increasing environmental pressures
Formulation and evaluation of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil nanoemulsion: Effects on Tribolium castaneum, wheat growth, and molecular docking for pest control
No full textThe nanoemulsion was prepared using ethanol (3%), the biosurfactant Tween 80 (5%), and water (80%), which together constituted 20% (v/v) of the nanoemulsion. The toxicity of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) essential oil nanoemulsion was evaluated against the population of Tribolium castaneum in terms of LC50 (lethal concentration), which was determined to be 112.93 ppm. The impact of the clove essential oil nanoemulsion formulated at LC50 on wheat germination and seedling growth was assessed using a pot test. Results showed that the treatment inhibited wheat seedling growth and reduced the overall growth rate. Additionally, the metabolites of adult T. castaneum beetles were analyzed following exposure to a sub-lethal concentration (LC20) of the clove oil nanoemulsion. The sub-lethal dose significantly decreased glycogen and glucose levels in all adult beetles while increasing invertase activity and total protein in resistant populations throughout the exposure period. These metabolic changes highlight the biochemical impact of the nanoemulsion. A molecular docking study was conducted to predict the mode of action of the major components of the essential oil and nanoemulsion, namely eugenol and α-humulene, at the binding site of the enzyme alkaline acid phosphatase of Tribolium castaneum. The results provide insights into the molecular interactions between insect-plant compounds and their effects at the biochemical level. These findings suggest the potential of clove essential oil nanoemulsion as a natural, eco-friendly solution for sustainable pesticide management in stored grain facilities. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need to understand the side effects on both animals and humans to ensure safe applications